Before joining the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987–94) as Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Stewart worked for over 30 years as a member of England's prestigious Royal Shakespeare Company (1966–97). His television work also includes I, Claudius (1976–77) and Smiley's People (1982) for the BBC, and his films include Lady Jane (1985), and Jeffrey (1995).